Thursday, December 23, 2010

Last Saturday, my daughter, mother, grandson, and I went to see Tangled — my daughter's treat. It was great fun and my grandson's first time at the theater. He was alternately horrified and thrilled. The first film I ever went to see was Disney's Pinocchio. As I recall, I was also alternately horrified and thrilled. There are 70th anniversary editions of Pinocchio on sale now, but I assure you that I have not yet seen my 60th year and won't for a few. Obviously, it was a re-release. ;>

Anyway, my youngest grandson has been waiting patiently for his day. Today is it. We are going to spend some quiet time reading stories, coloring, playing in a box (one of his very favorite things), baking some cookies, playing on the piano, and whatever else suits his fancy. We might even watch a short video, which is all his budding attention span allows.

She has yet to make it through The Little Match Girl without weeping and I have yet to read Herriot's The Christmas Day Kitten without doing the same. We are two sappy gals now let me tell you. Neither of those Christmas stories will be read today for obvious reasons. :D

Any favorite children's Christmas stories you'd like to mention and/or do you remember the first movie you went to see in the theater?

Over the weekend, I had a nice catch-up conversation with friends who are married to each other. He loves this movie; she has never seen it and doesn't care to. She isn't "into fantasy" she says. I told her that there is a far cry between fantasy and allegory. Far. Way far. I encouraged her to watch this movie in preparation for going to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It'll be fun to learn if her curiosity was piqued at all when I see them again Christmas Eve. (It is my fond hope to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader next week and I'd love to have them go with us.)

Okay, I am certain that I hear that clock ticking...gotta run. Is there a big old clock ticking in your world, too?

(My apologies for having this post get away from me last evening with its being posted, removed, and returned. Perhaps I'm too analytical because I'd really like to know what happened. The post dating thing just didn't hold. Anyway, it's all straightened around now.)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Just when we'd given up hope of a White Christmas, a Nor'easter took a sharp left.

Can you tell that I'm still crazy about my spring wreath? Oh the decorating possibilities!

If you have a cactus hanging about and you don't know what kind it is and why it's blooming now or why it's sitting around twiddling its thumbs, La Tea Dah excellently spells it out at Gracious Hospitality on her post titled Bloom, O Christmas Cactus. I now know that I have an Easter cactus that sometimes blooms in November and again in spring. (It also sometimes blooms in July, but that's only when really confused.)

This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ. ~Frank McKibben

I heard a sermon long ago that remains with me. (I wish they all would.) The pastor said, "He's not a baby anymore! He is the living Christ crucified, risen, and coming again!" There was something about the "he's not a baby anymore" that excited me that day. So while I do think of the baby in the manger at Christmastime, my thoughts don't stay there very long before moving on to "He is the living Christ, crucified, risen, and coming again!"

Saturday, December 18, 2010

And no one has time to read it. My timing is certainly interesting. :D

Mother moved to her new home this week. I've been feeling lost. It has been so much fun having her here. I don't know how to describe it exactly. When I wanted to talk there was a woman to talk with, yet we could sit and read and be quiet for long stretches of time. I had a built-in "playmate" who was more than willing to go along with any of my schemes. She was happy to try a new recipe, work on a new craft, read a blog I pointed out to her or head off for a little shopping. Perhaps I was afforded the luxury of a return to childhood without all the fussy parenting. Some fussy parenting, but not all. While I know that she's not even a mile down the way, it's not the same. I told her to hurry back. And she will be back for a few days over Christmas. Think I can last?

It's been one of those weeks. One of those weeks where many events culminated in troubles. The old "when it rains, it pours" kinds of weeks. We all have them, but it is a special affront during Christmas when we fervently wish for things to go well, for people to be well, for there to be abundance, for there to be joy and peace across the land and around the world. When world peace becomes too much to hope for, we still hope for peace to reign in our hearts and families. All too often that is another "too much to hope for" because we can not control other people and the decisions that they will make. When my son stopped by to pick up some packages he'd had sent here, I shared some of this with him. He listened to me vent: he's so wonderfully sympathetic that I didn't know when to shut up. Thankfully, I pulled it together and he gave me a big hug and told me that things would get better. May it be so...

Mercifully, I have been aided by so many of you and your wonderful blogs. If you haven't noticed the section in my sidebar named "Inspiring Posts of the Month," you might look and see if there's something there to comfort and cheer you, too, should you need a bit of cheering. Currently, I have five posts listed. I highly recommend them all and each one points to the the Lord. After all, our help and hope come from Him.

There's a lot to be done in the time before Christmas around here. Procrastination and I know each other all too well, though I did get the bookcase top decorated for the second or third time. (Note to self: Must learn to move forward instead of sideways.) I really am loving those springs. (Springs are "harvested" from old mattresses or they were in this case. It so happened that my mother gave her mattress the boot so I got lucky blessed. John did all the hard work of harvesting so I had it very easy. I understand it was ghoulish, tricky work.)

Friday, December 17, 2010

John's sister sent us the link for The Digital Story of the Nativity. Though not always one hundred per cent scriptural, it is very cleverly done. Made me laugh with joy. If you have a minute, I think you'll enjoy it as well.

Hope to get back to better blogging soon. It's been crazy busy here as I am sure is true in your home as well. Here's to a Merry Christmas!

Edited to Add: I see that this is making the rounds in Blogdom...all good, of course. I should have been paying attention and then I would've seen that my friend *Diva* had beat me to it!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

John arrived home from church with a lot of these little candy canes. The weather had been vile Sunday morning and not many people were out braving it. Therefore, the pastor had a lot of candy canes to share with the few in attendance. His sermon had been the classic one about the real meaning of the candy cane. I like that story, but this year the real meaning of the candy cane is going to be all about the letter J. For me, the J=Jesus and the J=Joy. We may not always experience joy in the ways that we might expect, but joy is always present when we look for it. And that is why all the mini candy canes are hanging like Js all over the tree.

Thanking you again for all the prayers. My parents' marriage ended today after nearly 57 years (nearly 58). It has been very difficult for both of them, but especially so for my mother who has always considered my father her God-given mission in life. (Personally, I am glad that God has this mission back. It's going to take a miracle.)

So we are off to do some heavy duty cleaning...that should keep our hands busy and our minds occupied.

Sometimes the storm is going to nail me. There's no avoiding it. It's coming through. The good news is that I'm not going alone and no matter how much the wind howls, God will still hear me. (Isn't it great when even the weather cooperates by providing a powerful metaphor?)

The waves of death crashed over me, devil waters rushed over me. Hell's ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit. A hostile world! I called to God, to my God I cried out. From his palace he heard me call; my cry brought me right into his presence— a private audience!

II Samuel 22:5–7 (The Message)

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and all the sweet advice. I am praying, playing music, and resting. I am confident that there are answers as I keep my heart open to them. And this, as always, is true: This, too, shall pass.

Given the choice, and we all have that choice, I might decide to go back to my cozy, warm bed. We've had days and days of cold and gray making "vibrancy" seem unattainable. I'm feeling under the weather and I don't mean sick or maybe I do. One incident after another has threatened to swamp me and mine. Nevertheless, Christmas is going to happen with or without me so I need to make a better choice. What is your remedy for the blahs?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The grands had a delightful experience riding *The P*o*lar Express.* I get all sappy looking at the amazement on those little faces... The little guy couldn't get over his ticket...he's still talking about it. The train ride included hot chocolate, cookies, a ticket with each child's initial punched by the conductor, photos with the conductor, and a healthy dose of wonder.

Here's wishing us all a dose of wonder this season!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I was not on this journey. The photos were sent to me by my daughter-in-law whom one can see in the window reflection in the largest photo. My son is the only other adult besides the conductor. Thanks for looking and for all the sweet comments. Catch you another day...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Another gift in the mail! What have I done to deserve such things? It proves that God just loves to bless us with good and thoughtful friends. This beautiful Lenox angel comes from Pat (Mille Fiori Favoriti) who said this: "I thought this little angel votive would remind you of your Nan who is smiling down on all of you as your special angel." Thank you so much, Pat, this means a lot to my little family here at Haven and you know that I think that you're the real angel.

The gingerbread didn't get baked yesterday after all, but to compensate I placed grapefruit rinds and a stick of cinnamon on the stove to heat and scent the air hoping to provide a nice "welcome home" to John and my mother as well. The next bit is easier told with dialog.

V: Doesn't the house smell good?

J: I can't smell anything.

V: You can't? I put citrus and cinnamon on the stove.

J: I saw that.

V: But you can't smell it?

J: No, I just thought we were having a meager supper.

V: Hahahahahahahaha...

Honestly, I laughed for over a minute. Times may be tough, but we've not come to eating two grapefruit rinds and a stick of cinnamon! :D

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

2. Turkey or Ham?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
7. Favorite Christmas song?
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
10. Stockings before or after presents?
11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?
12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
13. What do you do after presents and dinner?
14. What is your favorite holiday smell?
15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
17. Favorite Christmas memory?
18. Favorite Part about winter?
19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?

(It's an easy copy and paste.)

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider? Hot Chocolate please!2. Turkey or Ham? Ham with raisin sauce3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree? A fake tree so that I can put it up early and keep it up late...Epiphany on January 6. (As much as I love the smell of a fresh tree, I can not abide the mess that they make. I compensate with fresh boughs near my door as one enters and with some fresh boughs at the windows.)4. Decorations on the outside of your house? Yes, John is still stringing lights on the deck...an arrangement on the side deck by the main door and a kissing ball on the garage. I have yet to do anything with the front door...*gasp*5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?Sleddin'!6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping? Not so much7. Favorite Christmas song? Secular: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas sung by Bing CrosbySacred: Joy to the World8. How do you feel about Christmas movies? I enjoy many of them, including "It's a Wonderful Life," but my favorite is "A Christmas Story." (I have yet to find a sacred film about Christmas that I truly enjoy.)9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? It is never too early to listen to Christmas music. ;>10. Stockings before or after presents? Before11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you? We do both...12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when? Yes, no set time...we've read it once this season and will do so again, I'm sure.13. What do you do after presents and dinner? We enjoy playing the new board games or just having quiet conversation. Sometimes, if the weather isn't too bad, we go for a walk.14. What is your favorite holiday smell? Cider brewing or evergreen boughs or cookies baking or gingerbread baking...I'm doing the gingerbread thing today. The aroma lasts for days.15. Ice skating or walking around the mall? Given the limited choices, I'll watch the ice skating.16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day? Presents may be opened at any time during the Christmas season. We're flexible.17. Favorite Christmas memory? It shall always be listening to my grandparents play the old carols...my grandmother at the piano and my grandfather on his violin...as I fall asleep in a cozy upstairs bedroom tucked under the eaves.18. Favorite Part about winter? Though it is not my favorite season, I love the coziness of a home after being outside in the cold and I enjoy watching snow fall gently from the comforts of indoors.19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe? Ohhhh, once or twice

Please let me know if you're going try this (you are definitely invited to do so) because I want to read yours, too!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

This week found me making crafts. I see so many delights in Blogdom that I must give them a whirl. 1. An open Christmas songbook decorated with ribbon and berries given to me by my friend Kathy. I have used it every year since. 2. A snowflake first found last week at *Quill Cottage*. Miss Sandy will reveal where she found the information. It's really big! It's growing on me. (I had to add some glitter and I didn't have sheet music that I wished to spare...ink is out of printer... so used an old book from the flea market free pile instead.) 3. A Christmas card snowflake. Look back on my posts this week to find instructions if you are interested. 4. A dove and a believe sign 5. Frosty the Pumpkin or Sam the Pumpkin, whichever you prefer. (My grandson renamed him.) Glitter helped his cap look like newly glistening snow. 6. An apothecary filled with antique ornaments that are so fragile I no longer hang them on the tree. 7. A cozy nook in the dining room 8. My Home Interiors Nativity purchased in the early 80s. 9. My attempt to try a mosaic a different way thanks to *Lorrie's tutorial.* (I used a background made available at Diane Knott's Musings somewhere! Sorry that I can't find it. ETA 8/8/13: Equally sorry that there is no Diane Knott Musings any longer. I sure do miss those who have bowed out of blogging.)

Thank you to Mary at Little Red House for allowing me the opportunity to participate. We are all so busy, but the Christmas season is such a fun time to share!

Yesterday found me shopping at the flea market. Mother was busy looking through stacks of puzzles and I was busily looking at silver spoons looking for monograms on their handles. Christmas music was playing and I became aware that it was "Mary's Little Boy Child" and so hummed along a bit instead of mindlessly going about my search.

When I got to this line: "And man shall live forevermore because of Christmas Day," I began to ponder a bit. Now the truth is that it is more than a special day that gives us eternal life. And the gift is much more even than eternal life because, truth is, every person who has ever been born is going to live eternally. It's just a matter of where one wishes to spend eternity. (Where to spend eternity is a choice that each person will make. Choosing "the gift" does not cost any of us a thing — not all the gold we have or all the time or all the talents. It cost Jesus everything. It cost God everything. It's an incredible gift for whoever reaches out to take it.)

Back to my point (I really did have one!) At this season of the year, the message is repeated in lyrics sung in standard Christmas carols. It's there. It's repetitious. It's *the answer* to any question ever wondered.

This answer is the greatest gift ever given or ever received. Please know that He can be yours today. Your life will never be the same again and Christmas will mean so much more.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Gotta love Blogland where when you have a question, you often get an answer. Case in point...my question yesterday about what to do with a leftover lumina pumpkin. Dawn provided the answer in comments. I followed through. Voilà! Frosty the Pumpkin was born.

I hope that this amuses the grandchildren. The oldest could never figure out why I kept a plain old pumpkin hanging around without a face. Now I've remedied that.

Oh, remember when I was asking about what to do with begging dogs? Vickie came up with the working answer to that one ...we locked Molly in the car. It worked like a charm. She took a lovely nap in her snuggly bed and we had some peace and quiet all through Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday, December 3, 2010

We finally got down to it around three in the afternoon. By nine last evening, we were still involved. I'm not sure how John found a spot at the table this morning to have his coffee and read the paper, but that is where I found him. (Why, yes! That is a leftover Thanksgiving pumpkin. Whatever am I going to do with it?)

I first spoke of this sweet and easy project last year on *this post.* If interested, you'll find everything there that you need to know. I spoke then of the possibility of using old Christmas cards and that's just what we did. We tried a few other star patterns, but we are challenged by much beyond simple cutting and pasting. I'm working on overcoming one I found too complicated yesterday afternoon by this morning's light. I'll let you know.

I am avoiding all blogs that announce the countdown to Christmas. Yes, that should go a long way toward maintaining calm and equilibrium. :D

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Okay, this is the scoop: If you're a member of any blogger's family, you must be willing from time to time to become blog fodder. Now I know that there are a few exceptions to this because some of you respect your family members so much that you would never subject them to the rigors of repeated photos and efforts to get just the right angle and whatever.it.is.that.control.freak.bloggers.such.as.I.with.camera.in.hand.wish.to.do.with.my.subject.

For some time, my daughter and I have been waiting to show what I did with the Anthropologie gift certificate won awhile ago at Penny's The Comforts of Home. (Have you seen Penny's new header?) I gave it to my daughter who ordered two caps...one fit; one didn't. It takes time to make the switch, but the new cap came in this week. I begged her to come and show me—photo op. I twisted her arm just a titch. She was pretty okay with it despite a long day at the office, but by the last row there...not so much. And by the last photo ... if looks could kill!

My daughter, she's an "L," loves both her hats and says that this one is very nice and warm and is going to complement all of her winter coats. Perfect! (And when I catch her wearing the other one...)

Have a great Thursday! (Today is craft day at my house starting in about an hour. I'll be catching up with all of you later.)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My mother is such a Keeper of Christmas that I have often used her November birthday to gift her with items that she can use at Christmas time. When the good folks at Simply-Bags contacted me a week or so before my mother's birthday asking me to write a review in exchange for this bag, I jumped at the opportunity.

It's a beautiful, quilted *red velvet tote* that can be used either as a large purse or a tote. Let me show you why...

As a tote...

Tote Cinched

(Please forgive the quality of the photos...raining here today.)

My mom is an "M" and she's also my "mom" so that "M" really works. (One gets to choose her own monogram when ordering.) There is an inner zippered pocket on the side and also an attached zippered change purse. (I'd be tempted to use that for my keys, which are always getting lost in the bottom of my bag.) The tote is lightweight so when it is filled it is not much heavier than the contents. This works perfectly for my mother who has RA and has been using heavy canvas bags as totes in the past. She's finding this one much easier on her hands.

This is truly a beautiful tote and I thank the folks at Simply-Bags. You can find them on my sidebar under Personalized Tote Bags for future reference or just follow the highlighted links above. Take a look, I'm sure that you'll like what you see.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

It's so much fun reading comments. I'd never bother to write another post if I could just guarantee reading comments. Many times I cry when reading them. Yes, I'm weird that way. On the other hand, when I read Lea's comment on my Monday Mosaic post, "are you saying your tree is only three feet tall?" I burst out laughing. Why have I gone this mini-tree route when I am only a sweet young'un not even having reached my sixtieth year? It's all about the lack of space. If I put up a full-sized tree, I lose seating space in our living area and I can't afford to lose any seating space when this is the home where my family gathers. This way I can comfortably seat eight; I can uncomfortably seat fifteen. ;>

An early gift came from my dear friend Miss Sandy@ Quill Cottage. I nearly keeled over seeing the book she sent and the materials that I can use to make some of the projects. Such a thoughtful thing to do! Keep your eyes on Quill Cottage as Miss Sandy loves to share Christmas crafts with her readers. She's already been busy! Thank you so very much, Sandy. You bless my soul.

November 30 and I have reached the end of my commitment to the Giving Thanks Challenge. It became a gift to me (thank you, *Leah*! ) very early on. Some days were such a struggle that I found it difficult to think of anything positive. It's a very good thing when one must examine gratitude. God's gifts abound especially in those tough days. All we have to do is look for them. Today I am grateful for a living hope: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable...reserved in heaven for you. I Peter 1:3–4

Stay tuned tomorrow when I share another gift from a completely different source based on my review thereof... It's pretty. It's red. It looks like Christmas.

Edited to Add: My daughter just walked up to this tree that I have had since 1995 and asked if it were real. No, it is as fake as fake can be. It is a 6.5 foot tree, but thankfully it comes in sections so I didn't even need John to cut the trunk. I just used the top section.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

This week marked the first snow of the season, which has helped to set the mood. I've been puttering with Christmas decorations. Something here; something there; nothing pulled together. I included the little graphic (from my own collection) because it so perfectly represents the size of my tree this year. Why, you might be tempted to think that I am growing old!

Join Mary at Little Red House for more mosaics. They're always a lot of fun. This week and next and next..., I'll be looking for ideas!

In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
~Isaiah 40: 3–5

It is wonderful to make our Christmas preparations a "preparing of the way." I am not John the Baptist, but I want to do the work he did. Every little thing from the checking of the lights to the topping of the tree can lift up Jesus. Blessings to you this Sunday!